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This week, host Nick Williams checks in with Peter Jordan, Andre Davis, and Darren Shirrah to get the latest freshwater fishing conditions across Alabama. From early fall topwater bites in the Mobile-Tensaw Delta, to backcountry golden trout adventures, to mixed-bag bass and bream reports, anglers can expect plenty of opportunities to get on the water.
Conditions Recap
Across the state, cooler mornings in the 60s and daytime highs in the 80s are dropping water temperatures, creating excellent conditions for topwater action. Rivers are turning over faster than lakes, and anglers are beginning to see crossover saltwater species like speckled trout and redfish pushing into the Delta. In central and northern Alabama, low and clear water has kept the bite steady, with topwater and streamer patterns both producing. Overall, it’s a strong early fall setup statewide.
Inshore & Delta Report with Peter Jordan
Peter Jordan shared exciting news from the Mobile-Tensaw Delta and surrounding lower Alabama rivers. As water temps dip, the topwater bite is heating up, with buzzbaits, frogs, and walk-the-dog lures like the Rapala Skitter Walk producing fast-paced action. Bass are feeding heavily on shrimp migrations, and anglers fishing the Causeway can expect a mixed bag of largemouth bass, speckled trout, and redfish. Peter recommended shrimp imitations—such as a Vudu Shrimp or tied flies like the Beach’n Seducer—fished under a gurgler for that pop-and-cork effect. Striped bass are also beginning to stage, moving from rivers into impoundments. For fly anglers, patterns like Charlie Bisharat’s Pole Dancer are working well, while conventional anglers should keep Zara Spooks and Rapalas ready.
Peter also emphasized the joy of canoe fishing with his kids, pointing out how smaller vessels provide access to overlooked waters and build problem-solving skills for young anglers.
Central & Northern Alabama Report with Andre Davis
Andre Davis checked in from Birmingham after recently guiding a veteran-focused adventure to the Sierra Nevadas with OARS and other nonprofits. The trip combined equine therapy, backcountry camping, and golden trout fishing at elevations over 9,000 feet. The group caught multiple trout species, including the rare golden trout, and Andre stressed the importance of preparation when fishing high alpine waters.
Back home in Alabama, Andre reported strong fishing across the state. Topwater bites remain excellent thanks to lingering warm weather, while streamer fishing excels during cloudy stretches. He’s been using lightly weighted Clouser-style minnows and Kreelex Minnows, noting their near-neutral buoyancy triggers aggressive strikes. In the Auburn and Opelika region, anglers are finding consistent action with both topwater and streamer presentations. Expect fewer bites but larger fish as fall progresses.
Delta & Coastal Rivers Report with Darren Shirrah
Darren Shirrah gave a wide-ranging report from the Mobile Delta and nearby coastal waters. Bass fishing has been hot on topwater frogs like the Ribbit, spinnerbaits, and DOA lures, with fish keying on shrimp in brackish stretches. Darren highlighted a unique bite for giant goggle-eye bream, which have been smashing 4-inch Zoom Lizards in Junebug color around cypress trees—a tactic that also produces quality bass.
Bream fishing is steady, with crickets producing solid numbers around structure, especially on outgoing tides. Crappie are starting to move shallow, providing incidental catches for those targeting bream and bass. For catfish, Darren has been running jugs baited with bluegill.
On the saltwater crossover, white trout, speckled trout, and redfish are feeding actively. Night fishing around dock lights in the Mobile River has produced limits of white trout, while early-morning trips in Chickasabogue Creek have yielded up to 30 keepers. Darren also noted that fishing near Sand Island can produce 100+ trout in a single trip when conditions align.
Beyond fishing, Darren continues to grow his Real Time Outdoors YouTube channel, recently featuring on-the-boat fish fry videos. He plans to expand into hunting and camping content this winter, including squirrel and hog hunts on Forever Wild lands.
